Hi-vis plans for fork lift safety week

Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks plans to give away hundreds of high visibility vests to forklift users during September in support of National Fork Lift Safety Week which runs from 19th – 25th September.

And Briggs Equipment is supporting the campaign by giving away high visibility vests to its short-term hire customers.

Fatal fork lift truck accidents in the UK have fallen by more than two thirds since the introduction of the Fork Lift Truck Association’s National Fork Lift Safety Week campaign, according to figures f from the Health & Safety Executive.

Provisional workplace accident figures show that five workers were killed by fork lift trucks during 2009/10 – down from a peak of 16 as recently as 2006/7.

FLTA chief executive David Ellison pointed out that five fatalities was still too many. “Fork lift trucks remain statistically the most dangerous type of workplace transport. Even after the latest improvements, there were still 369 serious accidents – that’s a worker hospitalised with a major, potentially life-changing injury, every single day of the year.

“We will therefore redouble our efforts to help and encourage companies to safeguard fork lift truck operators, their colleagues, and the general public.”

Mike Jones of Mitsubishi pointed out that all too often accidents occurred because the driver didn’t se someone… “which is why we are supporting National Fork Lift Safety Week by giving away vests designed to make drivers and pedestrians much more visible. There are no strings and no purchase is necessary.

And Allan Parsons of Briggs Equipment said: “Short term hire trucks tend to be used by occasional or temporary drivers in an environment they may not be familiar with. In these situations there is the possibility that correct personal protective equipment may not be available.

“If, by providing an extra high-visibility vest, we can prevent just one accident then our investment will have been worthwhile,” he added.